1843–1920 · Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain · also known as Galdós, Perez Galdos
Benito Pérez Galdós is often called Spain’s greatest novelist after Cervantes — its Dickens or Balzac. Born in the Canary Islands, he made Madrid his great subject. His 46 Episodios nacionales retell 19th-century Spanish history, and his novels — Doña Perfecta (1876), Marianela (1878), the masterpiece Fortunata and Jacinta (1887) and Misericordia (1897) — portray every class of society with humour and compassion.
Begin with Doña Perfecta.
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Miguel de Cervantes · Lope de Vega · Pedro Calderón de la Barca · Emilia Pardo Bazán · Vicente Blasco Ibáñez · Miguel de Unamuno · Federico García Lorca · Camilo José Cela
Benito Pérez Galdós is often called Spain’s greatest novelist after Cervantes — its Dickens or Balzac. Born in the Canary Islands, he made Madrid his great subject.
Fortunata and Jacinta is usually considered Benito Pérez Galdós’s best-known work, followed by Doña Perfecta, Marianela, Misericordia.
Most readers start with Doña Perfecta.
Both refer to the same writer. Other spellings and names include Galdós, Perez Galdos.
Many of Benito Pérez Galdós’s works are in the public domain; we link to free editions below.